About Me | Diversity Mel 2024

Mel Lane

• Primary Teacher

• Teacher Trainer (PGCE)

• Qualified Professional Development Lead

• Rights Respecting Schools Assessor

• Co-author of 'What Does LGBT+ Mean?'

I was a classroom teacher and teacher trainer for over 20 years, but when my child came out as gay at the age of 18, I realised that we need to do more to help all children know that being LGBTQ+ is just another way to be a human.

Alex had spent four years knowing they were gay and not telling anyone. After years of listening to 'gay' used repeatedly as an insult and never hearing anything positive about LGBTQ+ lives, Alex thought they'd never be happy as a gay man.

This inspired me to start my work in schools. Every child deserves to know that they and their family are welcomed and valued in school. Every child benefits from knowing that difference is something to be celebrated.

Alex is now a happy, non-binary adult, living their best life, knowing that there are many, many LGBTQ+ people living varied and enjoyable lives.

I want to encourage children (and adults) to recognise that we don't have to like or understand everything about each other, but we can allow other people to just be themselves.

Awards and Media

My Approach

Listening to young people and raising their voices is at the heart of my work.

My young volunteers share their stories and experiences to help teachers understand, not just the challenges LGBTQ+ students can face in school, but also the incredible impact that supportive teachers have.

Teachers frequently tell me that, "listening to the personal testimony was the most powerful part of the training".

My Roles

Education Lead, Space Youth Project (Dorset)

Space Youth Project has welcomed all young gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and questioning (LGBT+) people up to age 25 across Dorset since 2001.

Space aim to support young people who are or may be LGBT+ and empower them to have positive self-esteem; to know they are supported; to have a sense of community and to overcome issues caused or intensified by prejudice in order to facilitate freedom of expression.

Head of Education, Pop'n'Olly

Pop'n'Olly are the leading provider of LGBT+ inclusive educational resources for primary-age children and their parents and teachers.

Our videos, books and classroom resources are being used in primary schools across the UK, and beyond, to teach about equality and diversity whilst ultimately helping to combat LGBT+ prejudice before it can begin to form.

Rights Respecting Schools Assessor, Unicef

Rights Respecting Schools use the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to teach children about rights and through rights.

Rights Respecting Schools put young people's voice at the heart of decision-making and help children to become active, engaged and caring global citizens.